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Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-03-17

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

The NC REINS Act (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act) increases legislative oversight of state agency regulations by requiring public objections from 10 or more people to delay a rule's effective date pending potential legislative disapproval, and mandating that rules with an estimated cost of $1 million or more over 12 months must be approved by the General Assembly before taking effect.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill gives the legislature and citizens greater oversight of regulations that may have significant economic impacts on North Carolina businesses and residents.
• •Proponents contend that major rules affecting $1 million or more should require legislative approval rather than being adopted unilaterally by executive agencies, and that a threshold of 10 public objections is a reasonable mechanism to pause rules for legislative review.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents worry this bill could slow or block important health, safety, and environmental regulations by adding delays and approval requirements that agencies already follow through lengthy rule-making processes.
• •Critics also argue the $1 million threshold is arbitrary and low, potentially subjecting routine regulatory updates to unnecessary legislative votes, and that the 10-person objection threshold is too easily met to trigger delays that could paralyze agency operations.